U of L Officials Welcome Indigent Care Fund Audit

by Gabe Bullard on January 26, 2012

The trust that funds a portion of indigent care at University of Louisville Hospital will be audited.

U of L President James Ramsey asked for an audit of the Quality and Charity Care Trust earlier this month. The request came after the Jefferson County Attorney revealed that the trust’s board hasn’t met in over two years.

The trust manages about $30 million, which hospital officials have said is not enough to handle indigent care costs. State Auditor Adam Edelen will conduct the review, and he’ll look into whether the trust has proper oversight. County Attorney Mike O’Connell requested the management audit.

Both Ramsey and University Hospital President James Taylor say they welcome the review.

Ramsey’s statement:

“We’re pleased that Auditor Edelen has agreed to our request for a review of QCCT funds. The University of Louisville stands ready to help the auditor and his staff ensure that those tax dollars are managed wisely and continue to cover the costs of caring for the poor in our community.”

Taylor’s statement:

We welcome this review of the Quality and Charity Care Trust by Kentucky Auditor Adam Edelen. QCCT is the critical financial foundation for the charity care University of Louisville Hospital | James Graham Brown Cancer Center is able to provide. Last year, charity care at our facilities exceeded 63,000 cases at a cost of $88 million, with just over a third paid for through QCCT.

QCCT is a partnership, only possible with the collaborative support of the city, state, University of Louisville and University Medical Center. We stand ready to assist the auditor in this review, to assure citizens have confidence these public dollars are used wisely.